Refire adapter for cartridges



Sept. 18, 1951 R. E. MCGAHEY, JR

REFIRE ADAPTER FOR CARTRIDGES Filed Oct. 25, 1946 .Wm 5T N M w 4 .V W,v M N i am y, a @a ,m y M M y Ad Patented Sept. 18,' 1951 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE REFIRE ADAPTER FOR CARTRIDGES Application October 25, 1946, Serial No. 705,759

Claims.

The present invention relates to a new and useful refre adapter for use with a standard type cartridge case to enable it to be reused repeatedly.

After the firing of a cartridge it has been found that the case can be used again by the replacement of the primer, the powder and the projectile. Under previous methods, it has been the practice to clean the case and in particular the pocket for the primer cap, insert a new primer cap in the recessed primer pocket in the base of the case. thereafter to pour in the powder charge, press home the projectile, and then crimp the end of the case to secure it to the projectile. This operation, While eifecting a considerable saving in that it permits the reuse of the old casing, is relatively expensive. Additionally the explosion may have burned the primer pocket and at times the replacement primer does not make a sufficiently tight seal therewith, resulting in a potential danger to the user. In this old method the same case may be reused several times, the reloading operation being the same in each instance.

In the use of the refire adapter constructed 1n accordance with the present invention, after the new cartridge has been fired the initial primer is displaced, the case cleaned and the reiire adapter unit positioned at the time of the initial refill operation. The unit remains in the case and need not be replaced in subsequent reloadings, it being only necessary to repeat the operations of filling the case with the required charge of powder, positioning a frontal primer immediately in the rear of the projectile, forcing the projectile home in the case, and crimping the case to secure the projectile in place.

In the reuse of any exploded cartridge, it is first necessary to clean and prepare the case. The used standard primer, which was an integral part of the cartridge as sold, is first punched from its pocket which comprises a cylindrical recess in the flat base of the case. This pocket is connected by means of a smaller diameter flash hole with the interior of the case which contains the powder. The primer pocket and ash hole should be thoroughly cleaned and in spected to make certain that they are ready for the reloading operation.

In the rere adapter unit constructed in accordance with the present invention, use is made of frontal ignition which has been found to be most eifective in that it gives a shorter, faster and hotter flash for the ignition of the powder charge. With frontal ignition the forward part of the powder charge burns rst, the explosion progressing rearwardly. This insures complete combustion whereas in the standard construction in which the powder at the rear of the case burns rst, an appreciable quantity of unburned powder is blown from the muzzle of the weapon with the projectile.

Because of the natural advantage inherent in a frontal primer Vfully open to the powder charge, it is not necessary in order to have complete combustion that the primer be as potent and powerful as is required in the standard cartridge. It is possible to use a primer economically made of paper discs between which the explosive is positioned, a suitable preserving coating or coverin g being provided preferably. The paper of the disc is relatively soft and the primer can be exploded by a lighter blow than is required when use is made of a metal jacket as in the standard primer. Misfires frequently encountered and due to variations in primer characteristics or in firing pin constructions are greatly reduced. The greatest advantage, however, lies in the more complete combustion with the resulting greater explosive power which imparts higher velocity to the projectile.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a rere adapter unit for cartridges which eliminates the use of the standard primer positioned at the rear of the cartridge case and which makes use of a frontal primer.

It is another object of the invention to provide a rere adapter unit which is itself reusable in the successive reloadings of the cartridge case.

A further object of the invention is to provide a refire adapter unit for cartridges which makes use of frontal ignition to effect greater explosive power.

These and other more specific objects will become apparent from a reading of the following specification and claims and upon a consideration thereof in connection with the attached drawings. Y Referring now to the drawings in which preferred embodiments of the invention are described:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a cartridge constructed in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a section similar to Figure 1 through a second preferred embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 3 is a View similar to Figures 1 and 2 through a third preferred embodiment of the invention.

A reloaded cartridge constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises ve primary components. They are identified in the drawings as a case Ill, which is a standard type of cartridge case; a reiire adapter unit, indicated generally by the reference character I I a frontal ignition primer, indicated generally by the reference character I2; and a projectile, indicated generally by the reference character I3.

The casev IU, as stated, comprises a standard cartridge case which has been used previously and which includes a cylindrical wall I6 and a thickened base I1 formed centrally witha-recessed cylindrical primer pocket I8. Boclget I8 connects through a small circular flash hole I3. with' the interior of the case I6. Thestarii'rigtrgiL prime?, found in the primer pocket I8 when the'cartridge was new, has been removed andthelpocket and iiash hole cleaned and inspected before being assembled as a part of the reload cartridge.

The renfe adapter unt'll. @leprses two, main parts' ofKV metalga tube 2l; and a 'pin ',221 vThe xpter tube'2l'is soA` constructedas to have an l 'la [gjed cylindrical head 23 Aigvhich seats frictilo allyl within the' primerV pocket I8. An integal'round' hollow stem 24 extends yfrom the head v.23"an`c1 has 'its opposite end split 'to forrn`two semicylindrical struts 2,6, the `outer ends of which abut the innersurface Aof the cylindrical'wall I6 of casing lil. *The base'of the adapter tube head 23A is'flat and lies in close 'cont'act'with the base of primer pocket H3,v 'a relationship which also characterizes the contact of the cylindrical walls ofthe head 23 with the pocket.Y

The adapter pin'22 bears a resemblance to a small finishing nail, being constructed with a round head 2lA from'which' extendsV an integral stemv 28. `Head 2AVclosely fits and slides Within the head' 23 ofV adapter 'tube '2| and 'the stem 28 'is enclosed slidinglywithin the hollow tube 2 4. 'Inwardly from the head2-'l vfor a distance fequal Vsubstantially to the distance by which 'fi-t spaced from vthe tube "24,v or for about 1% in theiusual cartridge, the' adapter -pin is formed with aplurality of tapered wedges or Vvanesjl which at their forward ends merge into lthe stem 28.

The adapter unit -II is positioned within the case III through the 'base thereof, lthe vstruts or prongs 26bein'g closed at'the'tle 0,0 enable 'them to pass through the'ash hole I9'. VAfter lthe unit is inserted, the struts "2 6 are spread'on'the'ins'ide 'of the case until their ends contact `the internal surface of cylindrical Wall I 5.' The Ypin 28 can be positioned in the tube at the time itis seated or, if preferred, it can-be positioned"thereinmaf-ter the tub'ehas been seated.

The tube stem 2t has a thickness and strength as to be compressible by the pressure of the'explosion within the case upon thev lpifn'stern `28 to provide a gas-tight seal to Vprevent -theescape of gas therebetween. Also, the taperedwedges '29 are adapted to expand4 the' tube "stem l'2115; as the pin 22 is 'forced inwardly vin the' firing operation to cause it to seal against the flash hole I9 in the web or base of the case. rIlhe seals between the pin stem' andthe tube stem,`and -between the tube stem and the casing '-web, effect a complete closurev at the ibaseoff'the"case so that the gases formed by theexplsion canonly escape forwardlyf Immediately forwardofth'e rere unit Il, and held between the base of the projectile la and tpefstruts '25; istneprinier l2 which comprises spaced paper discs 3|k between whih is Positieved an. ieniting Charge 3.2! 'Ti primer is 'spaced from" the 'forwardend of the 4 pin 22 with the latter in its normal or readyto-fire position, as shown in Figure l, but is adapted to be contacted by the pin when the latter is driven forwardly, the base of the projectile I3 serving as an anvil. The chamber formed within the case I0 between the base I1 and the primer I2, and in which the tube and vpin stems of the adapter unit are positioned, is filled with an explosive powder charge 33.

The projectile I3 is seated in the forward end of case I0 and is provided centrally with a circumferential groove 34 into which the forward edge of the case I0 is crimped at 36 for securing purposes. In the `preferred construction a lube band 31,'which may include grease if desired, is positioned within the normal dimensions of the .projectile .within the case I Il. In forcing the projectile I3 to its seat in the casein the assembly operation, care should of course be taken not to force it too far inwardlyf Should this occur, however, theY primer I2- will not-be-exploded lby-'contact vwith the forwardrend Vofthe pin 422.' EPhe tube struts v2li contact the non-explosive paper margins of the primer I2 and with the .base-'of the vprojectile -serve -to position it, as described. An undue `advance vof the projectile, however, would force thestruts 23 rearwardly, lto move the -tube 2l from the case Landwith it the-pin 22 and so rpreventcontact of primer and pin.'

In the firing operation .with this liii-rst embodiment of the yinvention positioned *withinv any standard weapon the for-ward. 'movementrof the firing pin 22 under .the actuation vof .a force 1re: oeived from the ring- .pin ofthe v.gun functions to drive the stem 228. of thepin .2.2 against the primer. I2.. That .element performs its `function of ignitingthe powdercharge-33, :thegasesgenerated forcing the projectile .t3 forwardly. from the case at vhigh .velocityandiinuthe usual manner.. The forward movement of the .pin .22 .moves the Vanes or wedges 29. .into the tube stem 24: .to en pand it into tight-fitting, gas-sealing relationship with the surrounding. flash .hole I9. in lthe vcase base or web. Additionally, the explosive force of the charge functions :to compressthe4 tube stem 2liabout the pinstem 28;. The gases .generated can escape from .thercase only :through thefor.- ward end thereof. andafter. the .ejection of. :the projectile I3 As thepressure. within. thecaSe dissipates the .compressive holding force of.- 'the tube 2li. on the pinstem 128 finallyreachesa point at which .thethrust acting.` .upon the pin isfsuflcient .to overcome vthe holding force andthe. pin is driven.v back to its original. .prefired position. Its movement is limited'by striking. the. face .of the` gun bolt. orthe back plateginsthelicaseuofjfa revolver.

Referring. now. .to :the second embodimentof the invention, shown .in Figure. .2, thatzconstnucftion. is similar. to the .embodiment illustrated. in Figure. l with the. .exception .that the .tapered wedges. 29 of the rst embodiment. have been eliminated. and in their...place. thepin. stemrzais enlarged at 4I. for that portion of its. length. nor' mally positioned within. the tubehead. lllhis increase. in size is inthe rangeotr .0051- to.-.008.=.of an. inch. The inward. movement` of. the. .piny 22 brings this .enlarged portion. into..the V.tube stem 24 and effects the expansion thereof .against the flash. hole l. perfo.rmingv the. sealing. operation performed byv the` wedges. 213i in. the vfirst embodiment. In other respectsthis secondeembodiment is identical to that first descr-ibed.

Referring now to the thirdembodimentoflthe invention, illustrated 'in Figure 3; itv is to be noted f that both the pin tube ZI and the pin 22 are slightly modified. The tube stem 24 is cut oi as to eliminate the struts 26 of embodiments I and 2 and the tube head 23 is madesuiiiciently smaller in diameter than the 'ring pocket I8 as to permit a cement 44, which may be of the metallic type, to be placed therebetween to make a permanent fixed seal. The firing pin 2'2 diers slightly from the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2 in that the stem 28 thereof is of the same diameter for its entire length and is' unprovided with an enlargement or with expanding Wedges adjacent itshead21. I j

In embodiments I and `2 the primerv I2 was positioned by its contact with the struts 26 of the adapter unit. The struts 26 being eliminated in this third embodiment, their function is performed by an internal circumferential flange or shelf 46 which is formed in the case I0 as a step in its preparation for the initial reloading operation. The primer is again backed by the projectile as in the previous constructions.

In this third embodiment of the invention, reliance is placed upon the adhesive 44 to maintain the seal between the tube head and stem and the primer pocket I8 and flash hole I9. In operation, as in the previous embodiments, the escape of gases between the pin stem 28 and the tube stem 2I is prevented by the compression of the tube stem on the pin stem. Also, the firing pin is returned to its initial position after the initial surge of maximum pressure, as in the previous embodiments.

In the manufacture of the refire adapter II, it is important that the dimensions be suiciently accurate as to insure gas-tight seals as described; that the tube stem 2| be suiiiciently compressible as to be compressed about the pin stem 28; and lastly that the struts 26 have sumcient strength that, should the projectile I3 be forced too deeply in the case in the assembly operation, they will be able to force the frictionally held tube head from the primer pocket. This last requirement, of course, relates only to the rst two embodiments. In the third embodiment the provision of the inner iiange 46 limits the inward movement of the projectile. The adapter pin should be formed with a head of sufficient strength and hardness as to sustain repeated blows from the ring mechanism of a gun in the successive uses of a cartridge and yet should not be so hard as to damage the firing pin of the weapon. The thickness of the pin head should, of course, be such as to permit the pin to travel the necessary distance into the tube head as to enable its inner end to effect the ignition of the primer. The adapter pin stem 28 also should be relatively hard and accurately sized so as to t slidingly within tube stem 2| to insure the formation of a gastight joint upon slight compression upon the stem 2 I. Because of the presence of the pressure-tight joints the explosion is contained and no leakage of burning gases takes place. Accordingly it is not necessary to reclean the cartridge before a second reloading.

While the particular apparatus herein shown and described in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims.

'.Iclaim:

with a base in which is centrally positioned a recess connected by a reduced opening with the interior of the case, a rere adapter unit mounted in said case comprising a tube and a pin slidable therein, said tube comprising an enlarged head seated in said recess and a stem extended therefrom through said opening into said case and spread at its forward end into struts abutting the interior wall surface of said case, said pin comprising an enlarged head positioned in the enlarged head of said tube and a stem positioned in the stem of said tube, a primer positioned forwardly of said pin in its normal position and in contact with the ends of said struts, a projectile positioned in said case forwardly of said primer and serving as an abutting anvil therefore upon the contact therewith of said pin under a moving force received from its head. and a charge of powder between said primer and said base.

2. In a cartridge of the type having a case with a primer pocket in its base connected through a flash hole to the interior of said case, a projectile positioned in the forward end of said case, a primer adjacent said projectile, and a charge of powder between said projectile and said base, a tube formed with a head seated within the pocket of said case and from which an integral stem extends through the ash hole into said case, a slidable pin including a head positioned within the tube head and a stem positioned within the tube stem and adapted to contact said primer upon being driven forwardly by a force exerted upon its head, characterized in that said tube stem closely seats in said ash hole and in that said pin includes means to expand said tube stem into sealing engagement with said hole upon being driven forwardly.

3. In a cartridge of the type having a case with a primer pocket in its base connected through a flash hole to the interior of said case, a projectile positioned in the forward end of said case, a primer abutting said projectile, and a charge of powder between said projectile and said base, a tube formed with a head seated within the pocket of said case and from which an integral stem extends through the flash hole into said case, a slidable pin including a head positioned within the tube head and a stem positioned within the tube stem and adapted to contact said primer upon being driven forwardly by a force exerted upon its head, characterized in that said tube stem is compressible about said pin stem upon the explosion of said charge of powder and in that said pin includes means to expand said tube stem into sealing engagement with said hole upon being driven forwardly.

4. A cartridge rere adapter unit comprising: a tube formed at one end with an enlarged head and from which extends an open-ended stem, and a pin slidable in said tube and formed with a head positioned in the head of said tube and with a stem positioned in the stem of said tube and of suiiicient length to project therefrom in certain positions, said head being of a diameter greater than the diameter of the bore of the stem of said tube, said pin being adapted to be driven into said tube by a force exerted upon its head to project the end of its stem into firing contact with an adjacent primer, the end of said tube stem being divided and spread to form struts for the support of said primer.

5. A cartridge rere adapter unit comprising: a tube formed at one end with an enlarged head ausgew and from which extends an open-ended steingiaiid zi.;-.1;ain:s1idab1e'insaidY tube and lformed withV a headfp'ositned in the head of said tube and with a Stem positioned inthe stem `of said tube. and of sulcient'len'gth to. project therefrom in certain `pdsitions, said head beingr ofra .diameter greater -than the diameter of the-bore of the stern f" said tube, :said pin being adapted to be driven into'said tubeby a'force exerted uponits head to project vthee'nd of its stem in'to firingV contact.

with an adjacent -prrner,. saidy stem ofsaid pin being -fo'rmed With-means 'to expand vssiidstube stem upon being moved by` a force .exerted :on the pin head.

ROBERT EDWARD MCGAHEY, JR.,

4'1e-EFERENGES .CITED UNITED' :STATES PATENTS ;."j 2, `1,8*99 Heniieberg June 11,1901 Cbforier July 14,1914 Apr. 2o, McG'ahey Feb. 5;. 1946 vFoieiizrcilq PATENTS CQuitry A, Date Gerlany Oct. 18, 17889' .Germany les? Germany Jan; 18, 1908 

